Safety regulators recall nearly all Cybertrucks in latest blow to Tesla

Matt Ott, Associated Press

US safety regulators have recalled nearly all Cybertrucks on the road, the eighth recall of the Tesla-made vehicles since deliveries to customers began just over a year ago.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall, which covers more than 46,000 Cybertrucks, warned that an exterior panel that runs along the left and right side of the windscreen can detach while driving, creating a hazard for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

The stainless steel strip, called a cant rail assembly, between the windscreen and the roof on both sides, is bound to the truck’s assembly with a structural adhesive, the NHTSA report said.

‘Embrittlement’

The remedy uses an adhesive which has not been found to be vulnerable to “environmental embrittlement”, the NHTSA said, and includes additional reinforcements.

Tesla will replace the panel free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out on May 19.

The recall of 46,096 Cybertrucks covers all 2024 and 2025 model years, manufactured from November 13 2023 to February 27 2025.

The NHTSA order said Tesla became aware of the problem early this year.

Videos showing people ripping the panels off Cybertrucks with their hands have gone viral on social media in recent days.

Safety problems

The Cybertruck, which Tesla began delivering to buyers in late 2023, has been recalled eight times in the past 15 months for safety problems, including once in November because a fault in an electric inverter could cause the drive wheels to lose power.

Last April, the futuristic-looking trucks were recalled to fix acceleration pedals that could get stuck in the interior trim.

Other recalls were related to windscreen wipers and the display screen.

It is the latest setback for the Elon Musk-owned electric car maker which has come under attack since President Donald Trump took office and empowered Mr Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) which is slashing government spending.

While no injuries have been reported, Tesla showrooms, charging stations and privately owned cars have been targeted.

Prosecutors in Colorado charged a woman last month in connection with attacks on Tesla dealerships, including petrol bombs thrown at vehicles and the words “Nazi cars” spray-painted on a building.

Federal agents in South Carolina last week arrested a man they say set fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wrote in an affidavit that authorities found writings critical of the government and Doge in his bedroom and wallet.

Even before the attacks increased in recent weeks, Tesla had been struggling, facing increased competition from rival electric vehicles, particularly from China.

Though largely unaffected by Thursday’s recall announcement, Tesla shares have plummeted 42% in 2025, reflecting newfound pessimism as sales crater around the globe.